Is Sitting Lethal?

Excessive sitting of 9 hours a day (which is more than most of us sleep) can be a lethal activity according to a Mayo Clinic Study. After 1 hour of unconscious sitting our metabolism slows down, the enzymes that burn fat decline, good cholesterol lowers, blood pressure elevates, the pancreas overproduces, backs tighten, joints shorten and the brain gets foggy.

If "sitting is the new smoking" what can we do, especially with the constant drive for output, innovation and agility in business today? Move and sit with greater awareness!

Experiment for yourself and notice the result:

• Walk stairs instead of taking elevators
• Stand up throughout a meeting (and don't harshly judge those that do)
• Walk around the block or campus for your 1:1's
• Run sprints or jump rope before an innovation or problem-solving session
• Breath more deeply and fully
• Stop and stretch every 90 minutes
• Sit up straight and ergonomically correct
• Meditate

Read Washington Post and HBR article for more. Thanks to Megan for the resource!

Reflection, Contemplation and Leadership?

Thanks to whoever sent me the book "Leadership Wisdom From The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" by Robin Sharma.

The first insight I appreciated (other than the fun title) was, "Reflection and contemplation are among the most important of all business skills." 

We don't often think of these leadership competencies as a part of business (or busy-ness) and yet what if they were?

Imagine an office where people (regardless of title) allowed time and space for the wisest part of them to lead by:

• Staring out the window 
• Pausing and regrouping between meetings
• Sitting with their legs up on a desk pondering
• Attending to energetic and emotional shifts (in self and others)
• Being outside for breaks or lunch
• Listening beneath words
• Walking mindfully
• Asking, "Is it my assignment?"
• Responding to biorhythms
• Breathing more deeply
• Aligning with seasonal cycles
• Allowing silence to reveal 
• Meditating
• Appreciating calm and quiet

What difference would these practices make to leadership, team and organizational health? Try a few (or make up your own) and see for yourself.

For more explore www.robinsharma.com/resources. And....for those of you who devalue your expertise, Mr. Sharma also has a great story about Pablo Picasso. He drew a little sketch for an admirer later in his career and then asked for $1 million dollars. The lady replied, $1million dollars for 30 seconds?"He said, "My dear, it took me 30 years to draw that in 30 seconds."